THE case of missing D.C. intern Chandra Ann Levy is making life hell for her reputed friend and patron, Rep. Gary Condit (D-Calif.), who now seems to have gone on a “blame the media” tack.

Condit is particularly peeved with us at The Post. “I’m not sure he’ll talk to the New York Post,” his chief-of-staff, Mike Lynch, says. And a letter from Condit’s new high-powered lawyer, Joe Cotchett, is said to be on the way to us.

Actually, Condit isn’t talking to anyone in the media. This week’s issue of The Hill has a front-page story on the Levy mystery, and reports that Condit continues to stonewall reporters.

“There will be a time to talk about this experience,” Lynch tells The Hill. “The focus right now should be on findingChandra Levy.” But the focus in his office seems to be on damage control.

On Monday, lawyer Cotchett fired off a seven-page letter to The Washington Post, demanding a retraction of “erroneous and harmful false statements” like the one that had Levy telling a close relative that she was romantically involved with Condit. (The D.C. Post printed the letter Tuesday, but is standing by its story.) According to The Hill, Condit’s “awkward situation” was on display when he appeared in California last week with President Bush. “While other members of the Californian congressional delegation stood before TV cameras and fielded questions, Condit left before speaking with reporters,” the weekly notes.